Farewell to
Sophia's--------------------Well, you heard it right... Sophia's
is CLOSED. Locked. Boarded up. fini. New Year's Eve was the
last night. Those of us there didn't know it at the time, but it turned
out to be more than a New Year's Party. The management wishes to express
their thanks to all the patrons who have made the place what it was over the
years. Unfortunately, as I heard it, the building itself presently
requires an investment too large to make sense, to bring the building up to code
and to solve the never ending AC problems once and for all. I can
understand the decision, though it is indeed a loss to the community.
However, in short order I expect that some new places will open up to replace
what was lost. Wednesdays of course have already reopened at An Tua Nua,
and the response has been great! More details on that below or at
www.salsaboston.com/antuanua Stay tuned for details on other new nights as
they open.

BCCA update-----------Thanks to all that came to the
Holiday Party for BCCA! Over $2000 was raised, and thanks to the many
donations to the silent auction and congratulations to the bid winners.
BCCA's future is still uncertain, but presently it is still there, and the
dancing is going on. This week is open house week, and new classes start
next week.

Over $42,000 has been raised for the building fund so far,
including nearly $30,000 in December. The target is $100,000, and every
penny counts. For more, visit the BCCA web site at
www.bccaonline.com. In addition to donations, BCCA is seeking individuals
who can assist with securing the mortgage for the property. If you are
interested, please contact olaf@salsaboston.com or call 617-513-9841 for
details.

*******************************************Salsa Night
at An Tua Nua with SalsaBostonevery
Wednesday*******************************************

Have you checked
out our new home yet?!! It's a great space, and we are going to get the
floor redone, as well as other improvements!

An
Tua Nua is a great contemporary Irish bar & grill on Beacon Street just
outside of Kenmore Square (only about 3 blocks from Sophia's). In the back
they have a dance club about the same size as the upstairs at Sophia's, with a
sizable dance floor that holds about 150 people, a bar, and plenty of lounge
seating.

Close to the green line (St. Mary's on the C train),
plenty of street and lot parking.

Irish/America/Bar food available until
10pm. I have eaten there, it is tasty and modestly priced.

Note:
they have Karaoke in the front portion of the bar when you walk in, but don't
let that scare you... Salsa is in the back room! Full Bar. Please
check your coat.

Q: Where can
I find more info about the night, parking, lessons, etc.?

A: Several
places:- Scroll down to the Mailbag item 1 for more reopening info-
Check out www.salsaboston.com/bcca- Check out the BCCA website
www.bccaonline.com- Call Olaf at 617-513-9841 to make group reservations and
if you have specific questions.- Call BCCA at 617-738-2800
for general information about BCCA, classes, workshops, sponsorship and
contributions, and studio rentals for private parties and workshops.

Q:
Is there alcohol?

A: No, not at present due to licensing. However,
we don't intend to let that detract from the party, as past experience has
shown! Furthermore that allows the night to be open to all ages,
particularly the college people who are left out in the dark by the
nightclubs. BCCA is in the process of seeking a liquor license so that
patrons may enjoy some drinks, but this is a long and involved process.
Juice, soda, and water are available, as well as some snacks. If there is
demand, we will be looking into light food service like pizza slices and
empanadas, etc.

1) Salsa Y Control Party and
Workshops with Seckou McMiller, at BCCA Jan 152) Classes with Johnny and
Kelly3) Free Casino Rueda practice nights at VFW Thursdays4) MIT Casino
Rueda IAP workshops5) Dancing in Western Mass6) "The Fernando Show" on
public access TV--check out a show about the local "scene"!7) April update,
Sundays and classes8) Masa on
Thursdays

*******************************************************************1)
Saturday, January 15th 2005 Salsa y Control Anniversary
Party

Come celebrate with us the welcoming of a new year and the
anniversary of Salsa y Control doing what we love to do, teaching, performing
and dancing SALSA!!!!

Join us at the BCCA for an evening of Performances
and Dancing Salsa, Chachacha, y mucho mas!!!

Is learning how to dance
or improving your salsa dancing, one of your new year resolutions? Well,
join on us at the BCCA from 2pm to 5pm for three hours of intense salsa
workshops by Salsa y Control and invited guests!!!!

BCCA 14 Green St. Brookline MA near Coolidge corner T stop

Special
Workshops designed for ALL
LEVELS
By Seckou McMiller from Descarga Caribe Dance Co.
(Chicago)
Johnny and Andres Giraldo from Salsa y Control
(Boston)

COST: $10 ($25 if
attending all three workshops) $8 with student
ID ($23 if attending all three workshops)

No partner is necessary!
Participants will be split up into three levels: Beginner, Advanced Beginner,
and Intermediate/Advanced. Note that these levels are designated in terms of
rueda rather than salsa. If you dance salsa but have never danced rueda,
you should start at the Beginner level.

Beginner: No experience
neccessary! Teaches the basics of Salsa and Rueda, lead/follow
technique.Advanced Beginner: Assumes a knowledge of basic Rueda moves
(e.g. Enchufla, Dame Una, Adios/Prima), teaches advanced
beginner-level Rueda moves.Intermediate/Advanced: Assumes the
dancer has knowledge of beginner and advanced beginner-level Rueda
moves and has a good lead/follow technique. Students in this
group should be comfortable leading/following moves 'on the tap' such
as Siete. Teaches advanced moves.

Remember, workshops are
formal instruction, so be sure to bring comfortable clothes, your jazz
sneakers/dancing shoes, your water bottles, and plenty of energy to burn for 3
hours straight!

Please RSVP by sending an email to zarixia@mit.edu with
the following information (RSVPing is not required but
recommended):

Name:Email:Estimated Level:Leader or
Follower**:

(** note that the leader is typically the male and the
follower is typically the female, particularly at the beginner level. More
advanced students may choose to learn either role if they wish, as balance
permits.)

*******************************************************************5)It
is winter and very cold in Western MA. I hope everyone is keeping
warm. However if you are not: Salsa Dancing is the way to keep yourself
sizzling hot! That’s right! Salsa Dancing is global. Wednesdays TULLY O’REILLY’S
1 Pearl Street Northampton, MA.413.584.4100

The Salsa Beat goes on at
TRUMPETS DANCE CLUB, MEMORIAL DRIVE IN CHICOPEE. If you do not get enough
Salsa Dancing on Wednesdays, join us every Friday at the Hottest Club in town;
Trumpets Dance Club in Chicopee. We begin the night with a Salsa class at
9:00 pm-10:00 pm, followed with dancing until 2:00 am. The Salsa class is
FREE! Ladies get a FREE drink from 11:00 pm – 12:30 am.

Admission
is $5 after 11:00 pm. You must be 21+ and have proper ID.Dress to
impress If
you have any questions please call 413.575.0719 or email me at
chicossalsa@yahoo.com

*******************************************************************6)

Brand
New one hour Television show......Starts January 7, 20056:30 PM to 7:30
PMBNN channel 9

For more details please go
towww.elshowdefernandito.com

*******************************************************************7)
From April

Some exciting changes in 2005 for Wepa Sundays at
Ryles: * Wepa will be every Sunday starting January 9, 2005.* Our
new format for the year includes a dinner buffet (chicken, rice, salad,
andmore) catered from the popular S&S Restaurant.* Admission is $10
and that includes the Salsa lesson. Buffet is only $5 perplate.*
We can stay open an extra hour till 11 pm.* DJ Rob and visiting DJs will
keep you on your dancing feet.* 6 - 7 pm Salsa lesson. 7 - 8 pm
Dinner Buffet ($5). 7 - 11 pm Dancing to the best Salsa, Merengue, Cha
Cha, & Bachata.* 18+* Ryles Jazz Club, 212 Hampshire St, Inman
Square, Cambridge. Free parking.

Info:To whom it may
concern, We have started a
Latin night over at Masa Restaurant. Every Thursday at 9:30 we have
Manolo's band performing live till 1:00 am. There's salsa dancing,
tapas, margarita's, sangria, mojitos, and more. Great night, lots of
energy, and a perfect playground for those who want to display their Salsa
skills.

Masa439 Tremont st.Boston, MA02116

Phone:
617-338-8884Fax: 617-338-6019Website:
www.masarestaurant.com

[SalsaBoston's Review]Check out Masa on
Thursday nights! Featuring live latin jazz starting around 10pm, which
"decays" into Salsa later. It's a great place in the south end, a "high
end" southwestern (meaning somewhat spicy latin and american food)
restaurant. However, they serve $1 Tapas until 11pm--I tried a selection
and they are AWESOME! Order about 5-8 or so, and it's a decent meal.
They also serve a variety of house specialty Mojitos and Margaritas for about
$8-$12 as well, a little pricy, but the Tapas make up for it. No
cover. If you're willing to spend about $25-$20 in a nice loungee
atmosphere, have a few drinks, eat some great food, and some latin music and
dance, check it out. Tell them you heard it
here.